by: Chelsea Taylor
TimeWednesday, November 25, 2015 | 6:00 AM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chelsea Taylor
304-284-0101
[email protected]
Congratulations to 2015 Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross Specialty Award Winners
13 Specialty Awards Presented
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (November 25, 2015) – The Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship (ATVMX), sanctioned by AMA, traveled to Sandusky, Ohio this past weekend for the annual awards banquet. In addition to the coveted AMA Pro ATV championship, there were 38 National Championships and 13 specialty awards bestowed upon completion of the 2015 season.
The AMA Pro Rookie of the Year Award identifies the first-year professional rider who shows the most improvement as they make their professional debut. Nick Gennusa took home this prestigious award after his Pro Am championship season, along with a fifth overall in the Pro ATV Motocross Championship division.
Paul Turner, mechanic for four-time AMA Pro ATV Champion Chad Wienen, was recognized as the Mechanic of the Year Award. Turner was able to vault Wienen to the top with his extensive skillset, never once suffering from an unfinished race.
In addition to finishing in the runner-up position in the Pro ATV Motocross Championship, Joel Hetrick also claimed the ATVRiders.com Top Qualifier Award and the SSI Decals Holeshot award.
The Sponsor of the Year award was presented to Maxxis Tires, while the Manufacturer’s Cup was awarded to Yamaha Motor Corporation for claiming the most wins over any other manufacturer in the professional division.
The Award of Media Excellence recognizes the individual who went above and beyond throughout the entire season in regards to photography, press or social media. Series’ photographer Ken Hill was the honoree this year for his dedication throughout the entire ATV Motocross season in conjunction with the GNCC Racing series.
The Youth Rider of the Year Award goes to the youth rider who excelled in all divisions of racing. Texas native, Bryce Ford, took the top spot in championship points for the 90 Open Sr. (12-15) and 90 Shifter (12-15) classes, in addition to second in points in the Super Mini (12-15) division.
Westley Wolfe claimed top honors as the Amateur Rider of the Year. The Maryland native clinched both championships in the 450 A and Production A divisions, along with a College A (16-21) championship in the GNCC series.
The Team of the Year Award is based on the team with the most championships. This year ATV Motocross saw an increase in the amount of participating teams, many of which helped riders attend events that they would not be able to do on their own. In the end it was Media All-Stars who took home the prestigious award with a total of three championships.
The Special Achievement Award is designed to recognize an outstanding racer who overcame a variety of obstacles while chasing their dream of racing ATV Motocross. This year’s recipient was Tennessee’s Chris Furches who claimed the championship in 90 Automatic Sr. (12-15) and fourth overall in 90 CVT (8-15).
The Sport Ambassador Award acknowledges an outstanding advocate for the sport of ATV Motocross. This year’s recipient was Rich Gillette, who was recognized for his overwhelming support in the sport along with his efforts at Root River Racing.
Each year ATVPG recognizes those whose lives were cut short, and this year former Pro Am racer Dalton Millican’s family and friends were presented with a special award in his memory.
ATVPG wishes to thank everyone who participated in the 2015 Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross National Championship, and congratulates all of our 2015 Champions on their accomplishments. Please see below for the full list of class champions and specialty award winners.
| 2015 Mtn. Dew ATV Motocross Champions | |||
| AMA Pro ATV Champion | Chad Wienen | Calena, IL | |
| Pro Am | Nick Gennusa | Wall Township, NJ | |
| Pro Sport | Cam Covil | Webster, FL | |
| Open B | Payden Lingle | Winslow, IL | |
| Open C | Damon Smids | Canada | |
| Production A | Westley Wolfe | Myersville, MD | |
| Production B | Sky Volkamer | Runnells, IA | |
| Production C | Jacob Stevens | Fogelsville, PA | |
| 450 A | Westley Wolfe | Myersville, MD | |
| 450 B | Kirkland Jack | New Port Richey, FL | |
| 450 C | Jacob Stevens | Fogelsville, PA | |
| Junior 25+ | Dane Heilman | Richland, IN | |
| Veteran 30+ | Dane Heilman | Richland, IN | |
| Veteran 30+ C | Frederico Palacio | Argentina | |
| Senior 40+ | Kevin Pocrnich | Effingham, IL | |
| College (16-24) | Zach Kacmarzyk | Davis Junction, IL | |
| Schoolboy Sr. (14-17) | Troy Hill | Beaverdam, VA | |
| Schoolboy Jr. (13-15) | Devon Kindrick | Earlysville, VA | |
| Youth All-Star (13-15) | Alan Myers | Sewell, NJ | |
| Super Mini (12-15) | Peyton Zimmeran | Lititz, PA | |
| 125 (8-15) | Eli Lingle | Winslow, IL | |
| 90 Open Sr. (12-15) | Bryce Ford | Springtown, TX | |
| 90 Open Jr. (8-11) | Max Lindquist | Little Suamico, WI | |
| 90 Automatic Sr. (12-15) | Chris Furches | Jonesborough, TN | |
| 90 Automatic Jr. (8-11) | Tristan Evans | Leesville, LA | |
| 90 Shifter (12-15) | Bryce Ford | Springtown, TX | |
| 90 Shifter (8-11) | Max Lindquist | Little Suamico, WI | |
| 90 CVT (8-15) | Corey Edwards | Spring Grove, VA | |
| 70 Open (6-11) | Zack Decker | Zionsville, PA | |
| 70 Automatic (6-11) | Cale Deal | Lakeland, FL | |
| 70 Shifter (6-11) | Max Lindquist | Little Suamico, WI | |
| 50 Open (6-8) | Ramon Smikowski | Waterford, WI | |
| 50 CVT (6-8) | Ramon Smikowski | Waterford, WI | |
| 50 Single Speed (4-8) | Dayton Hunt | Boonville, IN | |
| 50 Semi Stock (4-6) | Gage Scherer | Pedro, OH | |
| Women | Megan Manshack | Marion, OH | |
| Schoolgirl (13-17) | Niamh Shaw | Bowling Green, KY | |
| Girls Sr. (12-15) | Dani Smith | Baytown, TX | |
| Girls Jr. (6-11) | Natalie Jackson | Battle Creek, MI | |
| Specialty Award Winners | ||
| Manufacturers Cup | Yamaha Motor Corporation | |
| Sponsor of the Year | Maxxis Tires | |
| Team of the Year | Media All-Stars | |
| Youth Rider of the Year | Bryce Ford | Springtown, TX |
| AMA Pro Rookie of the Year | Nick Gennusa | Wall Township, NJ |
| Amateur Rider of the Year | Westley Wolfe | Myersville, MD |
| Sport Ambassador | Rich Gillette | Onalaska, WI |
| Special Achievement | Chris Furches | Jonesborough, TN |
| Award of Media Excellence | Ken Hill | Hedgesville, WV |
| In Memorium | Dalton Millican | Drummonds, TN |
| AMA Pro ATV Champion Mechanic | Paul Turner | Wharton, NJ |
| ATVRiders.com Top Qualifier | Joel Hetrick | Seneca, PA |
| SSI Decals Holeshot | Joel Hetrick | Seneca, PA |
| Gary Denton Cup | Chad Wienen | Calena, IL |
The 2016 ATV Motocross Championship returns March 8 at Daytona International Speedway for the second annual ATV Supercross.
For more information on the ATV Motocross National Championship, visit the series official website at www.atvmotocross.com or call (304) 284-0101. Join the conversation on the series Facebook page, follow on Twitter @ATVMXdotcom and Instagram @ATVMotocross, and be sure to always hashtag #ATVMX.
About the AMA ATV Motocross Championship
The AMA ATV Motocross Championship is the nation's premier amateur and professional ATV motocross series, hosted at top motocross facilities nationwide. The 10-round series features the Nation's best racers, teams and sponsors, and is America's largest and longest-running ATV national motocross program. Since 1985, the series continues to expand and produce top talent from the amateur ranks, while premiering the professional class. For more information, please visit www.atvmotocross.com.